Calendar

  • January 17

    Doors Open
    10 am to 4 pm
    Treat yourself, family and friends to the 3rd annual Doors Open Jamestown, a free day at your local museums and attractions. History, arts, nature and comedy - all are open for you.

  • January 24

    Fenton Institute
    Digitizing Your Family Photographs 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Prendergast Library. What is digitizing and how do you go about doing it? Free elective for Individual Level memberships (or higher), $10 for members or $15 non-members

  • February 14

    History Detectives event for grades 2-5.

  • February 16 - May 15

    In the Mood: Dance Bands in Chautauqua County
    Remember when bands were "sweet" and "hot"? Dancing was the Swing, the Foxtrot or the Hop? Posters, photos and reminiscences of past dance events at Celoron Park, Bemus Point, Jamestown and Chautauqua will be on exhibit.

  • April 1

    Exhibit Opening
    "Intersections: Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County" A permanent Fenton exhibit highlighting the locations and history about the underground railroad here in our own County

  • May 2

    History Detectives event for grades 2-5

  • June 20

    Fenton Institute
    Our Local History: Architectural Tour of Jamestown's Downtown 1-3 pm Explore the trends and design in the oldest area of Jamestown. Also learn about the early businesses and people who thrived there. Free elective for Individual Level memberships (or higher), $10 for members or $15 non-members.

  • July 27-31

    Camp Brown- A Call to Arms - Life as a Civil War recruit Students in grades 4-6 will experience the life of a Civil War private preparing to march into history. Limited spaces, 1-4 pm each afternoon, please register early, $50 fee

  • August 8

    5th Annual Old Fashioned Day 9 am to 3 pm - Free admission to the festival and the museum. Experience our hometown's living history: try your hand at many of the "chores" our great-grandparents did everyday - for adults and children alike. Fun, crafts & games for kids, a variety of food vendors, modern crafters, and much more!

  • August 17-21

    History Detectives Camp "Intersections: Underground Railroad" for grades 4-6. Fun and learning come together as students discover the life of runaways making their way along the Underground Railroad and across Lake Erie to Canada. Limited spaces, 1-4 pm each afternoon, please register early, $50 fee.

  • September 14

    Fenton Institute
    Mining the Census Record 1-3 pm 7 pm at the Fenton History Center. Learn how you can further your family research using the census records. Free elective for Individual Level memberships (or higher), $10 for members or $15 non-members.

  • September 25-27

    Civil War EncampmentThe 9th Cavalry is returning home! Friday will be a day for local schools to experience and interact with the "soldiers." Saturday and Sunday the community is invited to learn more about living during the Civil War from the soldiers and family members camping at the Fenton Mansion. Donations accepted.

  • October 10 & 17

    4th Annual "Saints and Sinners" Lake View Cemetery Tours Every 20 minutes from 3 pm until 8 pm at Lake View Cemetery, corner of Buffalo St. and Lakeview Ave., Jamestown. The tour will uncover some of the more than 43,000 personal stories at Jamestown's beautiful Lake View Cemetery. Guests are asked to wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring a flashlight for the later tours and to be ready to learn some interesting information about Jamestown and Lake View Cemetery. The cost is $8 for adults, $2 for children and free for Fenton History Center members. Reservations are required; please call 664-6256 to reserve your tickets and time slot. Call early as the later tours fill up fast!

  • November 27

    30th Annual Holiday exhibit opens to the public through January 16, 2010

  • December 5

    Fenton Family Day Start a family tradition - bring your family for crafts, cookies and fun! Discover your past at the Fenton History Center! Children are half price!

News

FHC Taking Part In Study To Help Promote City

2008 Saints and Sinners Lake View Cemetery Tour

  • A pdf guide booklet to the event is available online.

Congressman Higgins Announces $95,656 Federal Grant for the Fenton History Center

The third quarter newsletter is now online.

Fenton History Center receives Federal Award.

Adult education programs offered at the Fenton Institute.

  • Our next workshop will be presented on July 19th.


Family Day

  • photos taken at the December 8th event

Old Fashioned Day

  • photos taken at the August event

Saints & Sinners Tour

  • photos taken at the October event


The Fenton History Center is available for small private events including birthday parties and wedding pictures. Please contact us if you would like to use our facilities.

The mission of the Fenton History Center is to provide educational and cultural opportunities for the residents of Chautauqua County and its visitors through the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and archival materials pertaining to Jamestown and Chautauqua County, New York.